Who would be first to jump ship from the Premier League’s relegated clubs?

Avoiding relegation from the Premier League is one issue, but in recent seasons, avoiding a second consecutive relegation has become a major consideration. With fifteen games remaining in this Premier League season, teams in the bottom half may feel compelled to worry.

At this crucial juncture of 2016/17, Burnley have emerged as a surprise package from the FL Championship. Despite being relegated with manager Sean Dyche in 2015, the Clarets board stayed faithful.

Joey Barton’s fighting spirit is a great asset to newly-promoted Burnley.

With scintillating home form, Burnley look well placed to avoid any relegation fight in May. For the other two promoted teams, Hull and Middlesbrough, a relegation fight is very much on the immediate agenda.

Even champions Leicester appear likely candidates, with nearly two-thirds of the season now gone.

Click through to the gallery to see if YOUR team would go down again in 2017/18 – and who would be the first player out of the door!

A second consecutive relegation? Surely not!

Few could have predicted the recent falls of Wolves and Wigan Athletic. While rank mismanagement at Molineux caused Wolves to experience a second consecutive relegation, the fall of Wigan is a far more perplexing story.

Wigan’s 2012/13 season summarised in sign language.

Under Roberto Martinez, Wigan won the F.A Cup in 2013, and suffered relegation just days later. Wigan clung in vain to the hope that a Europa League appearance could see the club retain its key talents, but it was not to be. After failing to gain promotion in 2014, the Latics sunk further the following year.

Howe the hell do you sleep at night?

Tipping Bournemouth, in the unlikely event of their relegation, for a further demotion is contentious. There can be no denying that Eddie Howe’s club achieved a miracle in 2014/15, when his charges won the Football League Championship after being the hot tip for relegation.

Bournemouth’s team spirit saw the club survive comfortably in 2015/16

Other than Saints fans, nobody wants to see the Cherries go down – unless they are the sort of person who would send an orphan a dead puppy for Christmas. Unfortunately, the club remains commercially small, even in comparison to the bigger Championship and League One clubs.

Bournemouth have more than survived on pure team spirit until now. Consequently, their relegation would see key departures severely disrupt it.

Whilst we are focusing on players who deserve a lot better, check out our nine Premier League players who are too good for their clubs. Honestly, why do this bunch put up with it?

Alexis Sanchez

To say that Arsenal's title ambitions rest on the shoulders of Alexis Sanchez would be an understatement. The Chilean frontman is easily the Gunners' best player, and is clearly missing the company of Messi. Image Source: Twitter

Eden Hazard

Last season's aberration may have brought Hazard back down to earth, but the promiscuous Belgian just won't stop flirting with Spain's super clubs. Image Source: reddit

Christian Benteke

Although things didn't exactly work out at Anfield, fearsome frontman Benteke deserves more than Selhurst Park and Alan Pardew. Image Source: Twitter

Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku had his chance at the big time when he joined Chelsea back in 2011, but at 23, the striker is now an entirely different proposition. Everton fans know his days in blue are numbered. Image Source: Twitter

Harry Kane

Londoner Kane has talked big about his loyalty to Spurs, but their dismal Champions League campaign is a timely reminder that he'll need to up sticks if he has his sights on Europe's biggest prize. Image Source: Twitter

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

At 35, Zlatan is no spring chicken, but he's still a class above his new United teammates, who should probably get used to the sight of the Swede's disapproving stare. Image Source: Twitter

Steven Defour

Burnley's capture of Defour was one of the more surprising summer transfers, and early signs suggest he's going to fit in like a bull in a china shop. Image Source: Twitter

Ryad Mahrez

Reigning PFA Player of the Year Mahrez has been a little off the boil this season, which is handy because it will help keep the vultures at bay - for a few months at least. Source: Twitter

Victor Valdes

Valdes won every trophy he could possibly win at Barca... twice over. Now he spends his weekends manning the sticks for Middlesbrough. It's just not right. Image Source: Twitter